We're all coming to terms with the rising cost of electricity and looking for ways to save money on home heating. There are a lot of things we can do to save money, like the addition of insulation to our homes, but there are also a few ways that smart home technology can help. You may have heard, for instance, that smart thermostats can save costs so that you can use that many for some freebets, but how accurate is the information presented?
The best smart thermostats assist in regulating the temperature in your house without your direct involvement. In other words, you can control the heating or set schedules and routines using an app from anywhere you are. You may load the app on your smartphone and adjust it properly, for instance, if you want the house to be warmed up before you get home from work.
Automation ensures you aren't wasting energy by leaving the heater on when no one is home. You can also sync them to the other smart devices in your house and use voice control for models like the Tado Smart Thermostat. To ensure that every room is exactly how you want it, you may even employ additional devices, such as smart radiator valves, to set different rooms to different temperatures.
The climate in your country and your family's daily schedule are just two examples of the crucial elements that will determine how much, if anything, you may save by installing a smart thermostat in your home.
How frequently do you use your heating?
Unfortunately, even the best smart thermostats are not magic wands, so upgrading your heating is unlikely to result in significant cost savings if your household prefers to stay warm even when it is snowing. The truth is that smart thermostats only actually assist you in reducing energy wasted on things like heating empty homes or operating at full capacity overnight while everyone is in bed.
Have you got an erratic schedule?
With features like geofencing, which enables your heating system to determine whether you are at home or away, and the ability to change the temperature from anywhere, smart thermostats are great for people with erratic schedules. This could mean you never have to worry about wasting valuable energy on cooling or heating an empty house.
Have you planned to spend the night at your partner's house or will you arrive home from work late? Just sign in and double-check that everything is off. Similarly, you won't have to return to a hot or cold residence if you leave sooner than intended.
How energy-efficient already is your house?
Unfortunately, your capacity to save money on heating your home will be constrained if it has poor winter heat retention. Consider addressing them if you have more significant problems than just managing your heating if you do to reap the greatest benefits. You might also think about changing suppliers to find a better offer.
Consider which rooms would most benefit from additional features like zoned heating and cooling, which are available with many smart thermostats (if you're ready to spend extra on radiator valves, etc.). Maybe your living room is easy to heat in the evenings while your bedroom only has single glazing.
Is your existing thermostat good enough?
Despite the popularity of smart thermostats, which is understandable, you might already have everything you need to start reducing your energy usage. The ability to control your home's heating and cooling systems is nothing new, so if saving money is your top priority, it could be worth keeping with what you already have.
These retro thermostat controls typically take the shape of a dial that lets you set the time and duration for your heating to turn on. However, it necessitates much more planning and effort than using a smart thermostat because you must remember to turn the dial and physically access the settings when necessary rather than relying solely on an app.
Think about the initial outlay
Whilst the focus of this article is on the long-term financial benefits of buying a smart thermostat, it is also true that there may be a sizable up-front expense. Although major brands like Hive and Nest can cost between £100 and £250, there are many more affordable solutions available. Consider the added cost of components like zone valves and additional thermostats, which can help you save more energy and raise the price of the smart heating system initially. Then there are subscription costs necessary for some advanced in-app capabilities.
Smart Thermostat providers explored
- Nest: Google claims its UK clients saved between 8.4 percent and 16.5 percent on their bills using its thermostat, dubbed “The Planet Protector.”
- Drayton Wiser: The greatest claim is made by Drayton Wiser which claims that its smart controls may reduce energy costs by up to £450, or 30%.
- Ecobee: As of April 2021, Ecobee says that its customers in North America saved up to 26% on their heating and cooling expenses.
- Tado: Tado takes things a step further by offering a money-back guarantee if their smart thermostat doesn't help you save money. According to the website, you can cut your energy use by up to 31%. Using Hive Heating Plus, according to Hive you can save up to £110 annually
Summary: Do smart thermostats save you money?
Yes, if you utilise smart thermostats to their fullest extent, you will be able to save money. However, given the up-front charges, membership fees, and probable discrepancy between what is promised and the reality, it might not be the answer that many people want. Having said that, carefully assess whether a more automatic heating and cooling system might improve your house and lifestyle; you'll undoubtedly notice the difference by the end of the year.